Splint-stretcher.



PATBNTBD MAY 8, 1966 C. F. STOKES.

SPLINT STBE'IGEER.

AIPLIOATIOF FILED a? 21, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Nd. 828,026. PATENTED MAY a, 1906. c F, swans. sPLm'r Manama.

APPLIGATIMI nun JULY21,-1905. V

a sa as-sans? 2 BA-( P @lafial ang/kn? 7 No. 820,026. PATENTEB my a, 1905 s. P. STQKES, V sPLmT STRBTOHBR.

*1: the strips forming the runners B at the points of intersection of the same.

Substantially one-half the length of the stretcher is formed into two gutters, (designated in the drawings by letters F,) said gutters being formed by a bar H, which is supported by means of the upturned ribs K, bent as shown in the drawings and made'of suflieiontly rigid metal to hold said bar H in a )lane parallel with the marginal bar A of the ame, each curved ortion of the ribs K bein fastened, as at h, by means of a rivet or sit ier suitable fastenin to the runner-pieces The inner end of t e bar H is bent at a right angle at H 'and is next bent to form a circle H, which rests upon a brace B connecting runner-pieces B, said circle forming a means for holding the portion of the bar separating the gutters rigid and also serving as a sanitary opening.

At suitable locations along the opposite sides of the marginal bar A are formed the loo s Q, the ends of which are'twisted about sai 'bar and serve as means for allowing persons to grip the bar for convenience in'carrying the stretcher, one of said loops at the forward end of the a paratus being divided so that a tackle may be conveniently connected thereto when a patient within the stretcher is upturned for the purpose of lowering the same from any elevation as from a scaffolding or from the deck of a ship, through a hatchway el'c. r

A suitable mcshwork, preferably of metal, (designated in the drawings b letter M) forms a lining to the framewor described, the marginal edges of said meshwork being securely fastened to the frame and about the loops whiclrform handle-openings, as shown clearly in the drawings. 'lwo wide bands of canvas, (designated in the drawings by letters S and S,) one positioned at the height of the axillse and the other at the point of the hip are, provided, which are anchored to the meshwork by means of retaining-chains R, having snap-hooks for engagement with the meshwork and which are provided for sccuring the thorax and pelvis, respectively.

Mounted within each gutter are the wiregau zesplints J J, which are anchored at intervals to the ineshwork, forming the bottom of the stretcher, and also mounted in each gutter-is an adj ustable foot-piece, (represented ylc'tters 1,) an enlarged detail view of one of the same being shown in Fig. 6, said gutters, with the accessories named, forming two complete fracture-boxes, whereby in the field or III the street at a first dressing the indications so carefully looked after in hospitals afterward may be elliciently met. Each footpiece, which is preferably of steel, is ol" a shape to conveniently fit the. gutter and is provided with parallel slots 5, ad jaecnt to the opposite edges thereof for the purpose of securing bandages, and at the outer marginal edge of said foot-pieces are the snap-hooks I, forming convenient means for engaging the meshwork forming the bottom of each gut ter. By this means it will be noted that the an held at difierent locations in the le -gutters to satis the different lengths of egs of patients. hen not in use, said foot-pieces may be turned flush with the sides of the leggutters and snapped into the mesh in that position.

It will be observed that the mesh of the apparatus is sufficiently pliable to be shaped to any articular part it contains and is sutlithe provision of the footiece when the foot of.a patient is secured t ereto inward and outward rotation may be effectually prevented in handling patients with fractures of the femur.

By the rovision of a splint-stretcher embodying tl ie features of my invention it will be noted that not only is the entire body protected on three sides, but the thorax and Po]- foot of one or both sides may be immobilized in a few seconds, and when a patient has once been adjusted to my improved apparatus he will be impressed w'th his security and pro- -tection, which insp es him with confidence and adds to his comfort du ring removal. By means of a splint-stretcher embodying the features of my invention the apparatus, and not the patient, is gripped in manipulations incident to transportation. 3

By the peculiar shape of stretcher having runners upon the bottom thereof a patient fastened to the stretcher may be conveniently lowered down Stairways, ladders, or other elevations up-ended, and when the stretcher is in a perpendicular position will keep his perineum away from the perinchl fold by putting his weight upon the foot-piece upon the uninjured side. In the event of both legs being injured a bandage may be passed behind the neck over the shoulders and under the arms and secured to the mesh work will clear the perineum. By the peculiar shape of my improved splint-stretcher it will be noted that a plurality of the same may be conveniently nested together when desired to do so for storage or transportation thus economizing in space, and. when desired the strctchersmay be'suspended within cars nionly hung.

While my improved splint-stretcher was originally devisedto meet the requirements of naval service, it will be understood that being adapted equally well for civil-hospitalambulance purposes, affording means where injured persons may be carried in police-patrol wagons to hospitals unattended by surgeons, thus minimizing mishaps due to unsna -hooks, which are rigid, maybe adjusted cientl y rigid for effective 'splinting, and by vis are secured, and the hip, knee, ankle, and i or upon shipboard as hammocks are comthe apparatus has a wider field, the invention' tion is intonded,it will he understood that the mine may he varied in dill'erent ways to meet iifi'eront conditions, if desired, without in :.ny way departing from the spirit oi the in- 'i'vniiml.

Having thus. fully deserihed my invention, 3

what i eluim as new, and desire to secure hy Letters Patent, is-

l. A s )lint-streteher, comprising a b uitahlo frame, provided with a meshwork secured thereto and havingleg-gutters, and means for fastening a patient to said stretcher, as set forth.

2. A splint-stretcher, comprising a suitable frame, provided with a. meshwork secured thereto and having leg-gutters, a foot-piece mounted in each of said gutters, and means i or fastening a patient to said streteher, in; set forth.

3. A splint-stretcher,comprising a suitahle l'ranw, provided with a meshworli secured thereto and having leg-gutters, ndjuetahle ioot-pieees, one mounted within each gutter, and means for fastening a person to said stretcher, as set forth.

4. A splint-stretolwr,comprising a suitable frmne, provided with a ineehwork secured thereto and having leg-gutters, loot-pieces, one mounted within eiaeh gutter, and provided with rigid snap-hooks, designed to engage said lneshwork and slotted to receive bandages, as set forth.

V 5. A splint-stretcher, comprising a frame made up of longitudinal strips, which are curved to form runners, at marginui her having handle-grips thereon, a rod extending eentrally partially the length of the stretcher, and a meehwork over said rod, tln-rehyforming leg-gutters, as set forth.

ii. A splint-ntreteher, (comprising a fruniv made up of longitudinal strips with their ends eurved, forming runners, a marginal her to whieh the ends of said runners are fastened, handle-grips upon eaid marginal her, erons- )ieces eonneeting the opposite portions of the utter and fastened to said runner-strips, leg- ;gullers formed in aJportion of said ntrvtrlu-r,

a meshwork seemed to iaid frame, z'lnl immioges secured to said hi retain-r, :Hliljiirfi to hoten a person then-to, u. Ml. forth.

7. A spliid-etn-telu-r, comprising a fraud: made up of nwtallir strips, their ends cum ed and forming runners, in marginal her, cross:- pierrs fastened to said runner-strips and to said mar inal h-nr, leg-gutters extending partiullythe length of said stretcher, mesh splints anchored to said gutters, and int-ans for lestening a person to said stretcher, in; set forth.

8. A splint-ntreteher, comprising a frame made up of longitudinal strips with their ends curved, forming runners, a marginal bar to which the ends of said stri s are fastened, a. rod extending partially the length of the stretcher, and dividing a portion of the stretcher into letegutters, and having Crosshars fastened at their middle portions to said rod and at their ends to the marginal hat of the stretcher, and a meshwork fastened to said frame and forming a bottom for the stretcher, as set forth.

9. A splint-stretcher, comprising a. frame made up of longitudinal strips, the ends of which are curved to form runners, a marginal har connected to the ends of said runners, cross-pieces fastened to said runner-strips and marginal her, a rod fastened at one end to said marginal her and bent at a right angle, with its other end bent to form a ring, curved cross-liars which are bent at their middle portions and fastened tosaid rod,

with their ends secured to said mar inal bar, a meshwork eovering said rod and rame and secured to the :nmrginal edge of said rin splints stfiured to said meshwork, and ban 8 fastened to said splints, as set forth.

1!). A splint st-reteher, comprising a frame, it nleshwurk secured thereto, a portion of said i rame heing formed into leggutters, a marginal bar upon said frame, loops secured to said marginal her, and to which loops por- Lions of the edge of said meahwork are fastened, end handle- 'rips mounted upon the marginal liar of suit frame between the ends ol' said loops, as'set forth. 

